SOMERSWORTH — Hilltop residents heading to the polls Tuesday will be voting on a controversial topic they’ve voted on before — the tax cap.

“The numbers don’t lie, Question One would hurt our students and our community,” said Ed Ohlsen, spokesman for the No on One Committee. “This study further confirms what we already know, that this is a bad policy with no real benefit. Somersworth is proud of our schools and our community — Question One is a gimmick that undermines the ability of voters to set local priorities and jeopardizes the health of our city.”

On Oct. 9, School Board Chairman Don Austin outlined a bleak set of circumstances that would likely have been imposed had a tax cap been in place during the district’s most recent round of budget talks in July. Had a tax cap been in place during the 2012-2013 budget process, drastic cuts would likely have been imposed.

According to the School Board’s study, consequences would have likely included the closure of the middle school’s media center, the elimination of music, art, drama, and physical education programs, and an increase in all class sizes — among others.

“Consequences of the tax cap budget would include an inability to meet minimum state standards at all grade levels, the loss of state approval at all of our schools and accreditation at the high school, the elimination of music, art, drama, and physical education programs, and increased class sizes at all grade levels,” Austin said on Oct. 9.

And others have also spoken out against a tax cap, saying it would put a further stranglehold on the city’s ability to provide in other areas, such as in the police and fire departments.

But Real Roseberry, an outspoken advocate of the tax cap, says he’s fighting for accountability in Somersworth. “I’m not here to hurt anyone, I just want accountability,” Roseberry said Thursday. “I’m fighting for the taxpayers — we need this.”

Roseberry collected more than 800 signatures in favor of his tax cap petition back in 2008. Ultimately, the tax cap was voted down that same year with 58 percent in opposition and 42 percent in support. But since then, Roseberry has picked up an additional 250 signatures — something he believes should translate into roughly 1,200 votes come Tuesday.

“I think this is going to pass, if it doesn’t I’ll be surprised,” he said. “I did my best and now the ball is their corner,” he said in reference of the voters.

In terms of accountability, Roseberry said the current City Council and School Board are progressing in the right direction, but action is still needed to stop the spending that has been a problem in the past. He cites taxes in Somersworth — which he says are the third highest in the state — as a clear indication why a tax cap is necessary.

Dover, Rochester, and Manchester are other cities in New Hampshire with tax caps already in place.